Rifle selction

[BiXLL]

I have been into handguns for some time now. I have recently joined a pistol and rifle club that has 7 different ranges. I am told that their high power range ranks with the best in the state, going out to 600 yards. I am thinking of getting into rifles, but don't want to break the bank just to try them out. My son has a Bushmaster m4? (looks like the M16 I had in army) that I shoot when he goes with me to the range, but I think he has like $800.00 in that. Can someone give me an idea of what to look for to shoot in the 200 to 400 yard range decently, that I can get into cheaply? Down the road, if I like, money won't be the issue, but I hate to waste

 

[ojibweindian]

How "cheap" is cheap?

You can get a lot of rifle for under $600.

You could do what I did and get a Savage 110FXP in.30-06 for $399 after tax. Mostly I use it for big game, but it also satisfies my desire for informal target work and GP rifle.

 

[BiXLL]

I was thinking something used for $300.00 or less????????

 

[telewinz]

Get the FAL in 308 (IMBEL), or the CETME in 308, or the Hakim(8mm) or the FN49(various calibers). All can be had for less than $500 with a little looking.

 

[Redlg155]

I think the best bang for the buck lies in the surplus market. Mauser 98s, Yugo M48s, Enfields and Nagants. My favorite are the Enfields.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[Soap]

I would get two guns. One scoped bolt action in .308 or '06 and one open sighted .22. The scoped bolt gun can run you as low as $400 for a Savage. The .22, as low as about $90. This way, you will learn to use a scope as well as open sights.

Also, the .30cal will give you enough accuracy to do some quality shooting at 400 yards.

 

[BiXLL]

I have a .22 marlin with open sites. It is a fun gun to play around with. I was looking for the advice on the larger cal. Thanks!

 

[Soap]

BiXLL- Well you're already ahead of the game then!

The reason why I recommend a .30cal bolt action is because of its versatility. You can hunt all sorts of game with it if you ever get into that. In my experience, the shooters that I have started on scoped bolt guns have progressed faster than those that I started on semi-auto military type rifles like the M4-style or AK.

If I were in your shoes, I would get nice bolt action in .308, a decent scope, a few hundred rounds of ammunition, and most importantly: a copy of Jeff Cooper's Art of the Rifle.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Psssstttt......comrade....Mosin Nagant 91/30. Check prices on these rifles and ammo. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[BiXLL]

Thanks again Dan, I will keep my eyes open for something in a 308. I really don't plan toget into hunting though, mainly punching paper, and a long gun in the event we should ever have to have a civilian militia!
Sir Galahad, I have never heard of Mosin Nagent 91/30, but will also look into that!

 

[Sir Galahad]

Or you could save up a bit more money and buy a Ruger M77 International in .308. Take a look at it. It's a classy looking rifle and it comes with iron sights so you can shoot it without a scope. It comes with scope mounting rings and the Ruger scope mounting system is bombproof. You can also get a peep sight that mounts to the Rger integral scope base. The International is a handy little rifle and pretty darn accurate if I do say so myself. The Mauser action is smooth. The .308 caliber you can shoot inexpensive military surplus ammo in it and also get high performance ammo too. The drawback with the Mosin is that you're pretty limited to the ammo there is for it. It's cheap to shoot, but if you even wanted to put a scope on it, it's pretty difficult. The Ruger isn't near your $300 mark, but it's closer than many rifles. It's a good idea to get a rifle with iron sights so you can be shooting that rifle if you need to wait a while to save up for a scope. Check out the Ruger M77 International and see if that doesn't look like a rifle that fits the bill for what you want to do. Yes, it's a bit more in price, but it's worth every cent.

 

[Soap]

One thing to keep in mind is the cost of ammo. The .223, .308, 8mm (Mausers, Yugo 48s, Hakims, FN49s, etc.), and 7.62x54R (the Mosin) can be had relatively cheap. Plus, they're chambered in good rifles. In my opinion, I would stay away from the mil surps just because I think that the fit of those rifles are not as good as the modern sporters. To each his own I suppose.


Bill- Do you want to go semi or bolt? Both of them will serve your purposes, but it comes down to personal preference. I think that the bolt is much better for punching paper and learning riflery. The semi is much better for defensive applications. Personally, I prefer bolts for 90% of applications. If you could narrow that one detail down, you'd be getting somewhere with your selection.

 

[BiXLL]

Daniel, PM sent

 

[Jedi_7.62]

How about an AK variant. I bought an SAR 1 new for $350 couple yrs. ago. My first REAL rifle. That is to say rifle bigger than a .22

These are a blast to play with and ammo is cheap too.
Pretty accurate out to about 500 yards.

They aren't as precise as a bolt rifle but they are great fun and if we needed to form a Militia you bet I'd show with my AK over anything I've ever used. I'm sure there is better but I couldn't afford it.

If you want greater accuracy and range I'm currently looking at Mosin Nagants thanks too some good advise from this board. Only thing is I'm not sure what they can take for optics. They can be had for $100 - $200. I'm looking at an unissued 91/59 russian carbine mosin nagant for $110 plus FFL transfer fee.

I like the idea of battle proven firearms (but that's just me).
GOOD LUCK.